March 2010 - A Year After Our Investment Group Was Formed: Still Great Optimism and 52-Week Highs...

This time last year, I was being assured that former Market Activity had been managed well.  That my per annum losses were "minimal" and that I had avoided a personal financial doomsday.  Advisors, Riley and Richlin, told me to become more involved in investing.  And, boy, did I ever get involved. 

     One night at the local Pub, an off-hand remark positively> changed the course of my future finances.  A couple buddies and I decided to pool finanacial and intellectual resorces to form an Investment Group.  The next day, we'd grown to 6 partners and formed an entity known as The DaTra Group.  Hence, we'd be known as an "Investment Clique". 
     Little did I know what an all-consuming passion Trading would become for the next year.  Rolling stocks for massive short-term profits was a better Rush than any drug I had done in the 80's!  There's something about the first time you do a Cowboy Trade, making  20%  on a 2 day flip, that would have to be experienced to be understood.  Only to be able to do that, REPEATEDLY!  To be able to get  de rigueur 20% gains on 2 week-1 month flips spoiled us almost beyond redemption.

And our pub gatherings became bacchanals (if only we had invest that money).

     A year, hence, and the bloom may be off the rose; but the fragrance remains wonderful as ever.  Having postions in 67 (+/-, 5) stocks, keeping track of 120 - 150 and watching for the next 20% (which takes a bit longer than 24 hours, now) has had a sobering effect.

     A year, hench, and we had such "luck" that the inevitable CORRECTION has occured.  But, really; these corrections of late are hardly a speed bump in our journey to Portfolio Value.  Our due diligence has served us, well.  When a wave of corrections means your Ports are up ONLY 6% a MONTH, it's a necessary evil one can live with.

     There have been some 52-week highs achieved of late.  The Bravado of last year may be gone (?), but I still have the same advice for how to make money in The Market --- "Get In".  Regradless of the folly in Wahington, over the next couple years, Wall Street is the place to be.  It's a good place where any "rookie" [read. not "dummy"] to find financial Gain.   One can begin or continue Trading for a hell of alot less than it takes for, say, a real estate purchase (my second pick for a hobby, nowadays). 
     But, be warned: playing "THE GAME" will become addictive!